Google and Samsung's Android XR smart glasses go on preorder, with sales from December 10
Early buyers face a narrow list of compatible phones, and the display-equipped models still have no release date.
Google and Samsung have started selling their Android XR smart glasses, nearly two years after first announcing the platform. Frames from Warby Parker and Gentle Monster are available for preorder now, with retail sales beginning December 10, starting at $395 and $449 respectively. The glasses weigh about 41 grams, offer nine hours of battery life, and carry a 12-megapixel camera with an indicator light, but they only work with select Pixel, Galaxy and iPhone models. Google is also stressing privacy safeguards such as tamper detection, face redaction and keeping visual queries out of AI training, and display-equipped versions remain in testing and have no release date.
Why it matters
The launch moves Android XR from announcement to a product people can buy, though only at launch prices of $395 and $449 and only with recent Pixel, Galaxy or iPhone models. Google is also pitching privacy safeguards such as tamper detection, face redaction and keeping visual queries out of AI training, which will matter to buyers and to bystanders who might be recorded. The version with a display, which would be the more visible step for the platform, is still in testing with no date, so the current glasses are the first real test of whether the category can sell.
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